Routine cancer screening for some men may include a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. However, PSA tests can sometimes produce false positive results. Ask your provider if a PSA test is right for you
What is a PSA test?
PSA is a protein made by your prostate. A PSA test checks the levels of PSA in your blood. Finding prostate cancer early is important for successful treatment. There are limits to the prostate cancer screening tests used today. They are not 100% accurate. Prostate cancer screening may lead to more invasive tests or treatment that may not be necessary. Or, it may not detect some aggressive cancers in the early stages. Talk to your health care provider about whether these tests are right for you.
How is a PSA test done?
The PSA test is a blood test that is sent to a lab for analysis. A small needle will be inserted into one of your veins and blood will be drawn up into a test tube. The test tube will be sent to a laboratory for testing.
What do I need to know about my PSA test results?
If there are no symptoms of prostate cancer and your PSA test comes back with high levels, your health care provider may want to do another PSA test. If prostate cancer is suspected, a biopsy may be ordered. The only way to diagnose prostate cancer is with a biopsy. A PSA test alone cannot determine if a man has prostate cancer.
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